metro

$300,000 meant for student ICT programme traced to suspicious accounts – ICPC

Published

2 weeks ago

December 5, 2024

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu

$300,000 meant for student ICT programme traced to suspicious accounts – ICPC

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, said the commission, with the help of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has intercepted and blocked $300,00 meant for students Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

On Tuesday, the ICPC chairman, who stated this in Abuja during the Centre for Media Policy and Accountability (CMPA) one-day National Policy Dialogue on Anti-Corruption at the ICPC Auditorium, called for collaborations among agencies and stakeholders to tackle corruption effectively.
According to him, “BPP gave us an idea because something strange was happening concerning ICT students’ funds, and then we had to look properly. We made recoveries, blocked $300,000 in one of the accounts, and recovered an expensive vehicle.”

Also speaking, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, director general of the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), said collaboration between anti-corruption agencies would benefit the country in the fight against corruption.
Earlier in his remarks, the executive director of CMPA, Dr Suleiman A. Suleiman, said the essence of the national dialogue is to guide anti-corruption performance in Nigeria. He noted that the Nigerian public always feels that the anti-corruption agencies are not doing anything, hence the need to bridge the gap.

READ ALSO:

He said, “While Nigerian anti-corruption agencies believe they are doing relatively well in tackling corruption in the country, civil society organisations, the media, and the Nigerian public tend to think that there has been this gap in understanding of anti-corruption performance between anti-corruption agencies and on the one hand.

“Therefore, this is precisely what we have the project plan to do to bring anti-corruption agencies, civil society organisations, the Nigerian public and the media together so that we can collectively fashion how best to report anti-corruption performances in the region.”

He further stated that the recovery of 150,500 square metres, containing 753 Units of duplexes and other apartments by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would be interpreted by citizens that corruption is plenty in Nigeria.

According to him, “Let me give an example. Just yesterday, we learned in the news that the EFCC has recovered over 700 estimated housing units from somebody through the courts as part of its anti-corruption records.

“There is no doubt that this is a massive achievement in anti-corruption in the country, but you see, at the same time, misinformation also means that corruption is very plenty, and therefore the researchers and experts that are relating corruption in the country, once they see reports of corruption like this in the media, as far as they are concerned, it means that they see much corruption in the country. So that means that in trying to do good, we sometimes inevitably do a bit of harm.”

Also, the representative of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) assured that the present administration will fight corruption to a standstill.

He said corruption will not be legitimised in the country but will be fought with all means possible.

$300,000 meant for student ICT programme traced to suspicious accounts – ICPC

metro

Navy arrests 19 Nigerians attempting to reach Europe by hiding on ship

Published

1 hour ago

December 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Navy arrests 19 Nigerians attempting to reach Europe by hiding on ship

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has successfully apprehended 19 individuals attempting to stow away on Europe-bound vessels.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos, the ship’s Information Officer, Lt. Hussaini Ibrahim, disclosed that 15 stowaways were intercepted on Dec. 19 aboard the European-bound Moto Tanker (MT) KRITI RUBY. Another four were caught on Dec. 21 aboard MT MCC YANBU.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the stowaways boarded the vessels at night and concealed themselves in the rudder compartment while attempting to illegally migrate to Europe,” Ibrahim stated.

The Navy’s Quick Response Team (QRT), operating from ATLAS COVE and using the Falcon Eye Alignment under the Nigerian Navy Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, facilitated the interception of the 15 individuals near the Lagos fairway buoy.

READ ALSO:

Ibrahim further explained that credible intelligence led to the interception of the additional four stowaways by Navy personnel deployed on escort duties aboard the vessel.

“The prompt response of the QRT saved the stowaways from exposure to life-threatening situations during the long voyage,” he added.

The first group of 15 individuals has been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Port/Marine Command, Apapa, for further investigation and necessary action. The remaining four suspects will also be transferred in due course.

“The presence of stowaways poses serious security threats to maritime operations, including risks of smuggling, piracy, drug and human trafficking, among other maritime crimes,” Ibrahim noted.

He emphasized that under the leadership of Chief of Naval Staff Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, NNS BEECROFT will continue maintaining security along Lagos waterways and surrounding creeks to support safe maritime activities and economic growth.

Navy arrests 19 Nigerians attempting to reach Europe by hiding on ship

metro

Troops arrest four Ambazonian rebels in Taraba

Published

1 hour ago

December 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigerian military troops

Troops arrest four Ambazonian rebels in Taraba

Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 of the Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have arrested four suspected members of Ambazonian rebels in Taraba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ambazonia is a rebel group operating in neighbouring Cameroon Republic.

A statement on Saturday in Jalingo by Capt. Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, said the suspects were arrested at a hotel in Takum town.

The statement said that acting on credible intelligence, the suspects were tracked and apprehended.

According to the statement, during initial interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of the rebel group involved in arms proliferation in exchange for cocoa with their Nigerian collaborators.

It said that four mobile handsets were recovered from the suspects now in detention undergoing further investigation.

READ ALSO:

The statement also said that in another operation following actionable intelligence, troops deployed at Natilde community in Bantaji District of Wukari Local Government Area intercepted a truck with registration number WKR 66 BB, transporting 19 pieces of stolen pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

It said that further collaborative efforts with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Wukari Division led to the recovery of an additional 11 pipes, bringing the total to 30.

“The recovered items have been handed over to the NSCDC Wukari Division for further investigation and necessary action.

“The 6 Brigade Nigerian Army will remain resolute in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property while ensuring the security of critical national infrastructure.

“We urge members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance our collective efforts in maintaining peace and security,” the statement added.

Troops arrest four Ambazonian rebels in Taraba

(NAN)

metro

NIMC warns against extortion, reaffirms free NIN enrollment

Published

2 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Trends Admin

NIMC warns against extortion, reaffirms free NIN enrollment

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a stern warning to the public, reiterating that enrollment for the National Identification Number (NIN) is entirely free of charge. The Commission emphasized that it neither charges nor authorizes its staff or Front End Partners (FEPs) to demand payment for NIN registration.

In a statement released on Friday by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, NIMC reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for extortion and pledged to take decisive action against offenders. To ensure compliance, the Commission has directed security agencies to identify and prosecute any staff or FEPs involved in such illegal activities.

“Anyone caught engaging in extortion will face sanctions in line with the provisions of the law, including the withdrawal of licenses for culpable FEPs,” the statement read.

READ ALSO:

NIMC also urged the public to report any cases of extortion. Complaints can be sent via email to [email protected] or by calling 0700-2255-646. The Commission assured Nigerians that all reports would be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate measures would be taken to address any violations.

Reaffirming its commitment to efficient and transparent service delivery, NIMC pledged to provide seamless and hassle-free enrollment processes for all Nigerians. The Commission expressed its determination to eliminate corruption and protect citizens from exploitation during NIN registration.

This announcement is a clear signal of NIMC’s dedication to upholding integrity and ensuring that the NIN enrollment process remains accessible and free for all. Nigerians are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any attempts at extortion to help maintain the credibility of the system.